B’Tselem: Israel used ‘excessive’ force against Palestinian attackers


The B’Tselem group on Wednesday pointed to 12 incidents that paint “a grave and alarming picture of excessive and unwarranted use of lethal gunfire, which in some cases was tantamount to the summary execution of assailants or suspected assailants.” The human rights group says civilians and troops shot assailants who posed no threat. The Israeli rights group said Israeli security forces in some cases used “excessive and unwarranted” force in killing Palestinians terrorists and suspected assailants during the current wave of violence.
In two other cases, it said soldiers delayed or denied medical care to Palestinian terrorists.
“This wave of violent assaults is appalling, and clearly Israel’s security forces must protect the public and use the force necessary to that end, as determined by the circumstances,” the B’Tselem report said. “The law on this matter is also clear: shooting to kill is permissible only in cases that a person poses mortal danger to others. However, in at least some of the cases, firing at the assailants did not cease even after they no longer posed any danger.”
“Some were injured and lying motionless on the ground when they were shot dead,” according to the report. “In other cases, the very use of live gunfire seems excessive. Some cases were summary executions, without the benefit of law or trial.”
At least 115 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire, of whom 78 Israel has identified as assailants.
You can read the full text of the report by clicking here.

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